System of electric lighting for railway-trains



(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet l, C. E. BUELL. SYSTEM 0F ELEG-TRI() LIGHTINGPUR RAILWAY TRAINS. No. 259,362.

Patented June 13, 1882.

WI TJVESSES N. PETERS, Plmm-Lmngmphzr, wnmingmn, D. C.

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 2. C. E. BUELL. SYSTEM 0F ELECTRIC LIGHTINGPOR RAILWAY TRAINS.

No. 259,362. Patented June 13, 1882.

IJVV' JVTOR .flttorney N Pinzasv Phominhngmphm. wnsmngm, D4 c (NoModel.) 5 'Sheets-Sheet 3.

C. E. BUELL. SYSTEM 0F ELECTRIC LIGHTING PoR RAILWAY TRAINS.

No. 259,362. Patented June 13, 1882.

N. PETERS, mwmvmlhugmpM-r. wnsmngmn, D. c.

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

e G. Il. BUELL. SYSTEM 0F ELECTRIC LIGHTING FOR RAILWAY TRAINS.

No. 259,362. Patented June 13, 1882.

N. PETERS. Phqlemnompnw. wa-hingw", DA c.

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 5. C. E. BUELL. SYSTEM 0F ELECTRIC LIGHTINGFOR RAILWAY TRAINS.

No. 259,362. lPatented June I3, 1882.

WITNESSES MMM'QM N, PETERS. Phnw-Lnhvgraphm. wummen. n4 C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES E. BUELL, OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT.

SYSTEM OF ELECTRIC LIGHTING FOR RAILWAY-TRAINS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 259,362, dated June 13,1882.

Application filed April 19, 1839.

To alvlvwhom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES E. BUELL, ot' New Haven, in the county ofNew Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented a certain new andImproved System of Electric Lighting forRailwayHTrains; andI doherebydeclare the following to be. a full, clear, and exact descriptionof the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, formin gpart of this specification, and to the letters ot' reference markedthereon.

My invention relates to an improved system ot' electric lighting forrailway-trains, com prehending the generation of the electricity in aneconomical manner by the motion of the train 0I otherwise, theconveyingof the current from car to car, provision of suitableconnection to permit of the separation oiA the cars and the uncouplingund disconnection of the electrical conductors between the same, theprovision of suitable electric lamps and circuits in the cars, and thestoring of the electricity in each car, so that each carcan belighted,whether coupled or not with other cars, the whole system beingcalculated to eti'ect the lighting of the train in a more efficient,safe, and economical manner than heretofore.

My invention consists primarily in the combination ofthe followingelements, namely: an electrical generating-machine mounted on the engineand propelled thereby, a main charging-circuit extending from the enginethrough the train, with circuit-connecting devices between the engineand the several cars, means for placing the generator in thecharging-circuit, two series ot' secondary batteries and anormally-independent lamp-circuit in each car, and switching devices ineach car,

' adapted .to place one series of secondary batteries in thecharging-circuit, coupled for quantity, and to simultaneously place theother series of said secondary batteries, coupled for intensity.

It further consists in the combination of the following-named elementsin the equipment of each car, viz: electrical conductors forming part ofa main charging-circuit,with means for connecting and disconnecting saidconductors to and from those of an adjoining car, two se ries ofsecondary batteries and an independent lamp-circuit, and switchingdevices for interposing said series of secondary batteries (No model.)

separately alternatelyin the charging-circuit, coupled for quantity, andin a lamp-circuit, coupled for intensity, substantially as hereinafterset forth.

It further consists in the combination of the followingnamed elements inthe equipment of each car, viz: electrical conductors forming part ofa'niain ehargingcircuit, with means for connecting and disconnectingsaid conductors to and from those of adjoining cars, two series ofsecondary batteries, an independent lamp-circuit, switching devices foralternately connecting one series of secondary batteries into thecharging-circuit, coupled for quantity, and i'or connecting the otherseriesof said batteries into the lamp-circuit, coupled for intens ity,and other switch devices for including at will one discharging series ofsecondary batl teries or the independent lamp-circuit in the maincharging-circuit, substantially as herein after described.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view ot' a locomotive-enginecarrying and driving the dynamoelectric generator which furnishes theelectrical power in my improved system of railway-lighting. Figs. 2 and3 are views showing the electrical connections between the engine andcars. Fig. et is a bot tom plan view of a car, showing the conductorsthereto connected, composing part of the main charging-circuit. Fig. 5is a view of the dynamo-electric generator, its several circuits, andthe switching devices by which the engineer is enabled to control thesame. Figs. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and A11 show various forms oi' conductorsfor the chargingcircuit and couplings i'or the same between the cars.Fig. 12 is a diagram showing the equipment of each car of the train.

Similar' letters of reference in the several figures denote the sameparts.

Arepresents a locomotiveengine, B a mailcar, and C a passenger-car,composing a railway-train.

D'is a dynamo-electric generator, mounted upon the engine, preferablybeneath the engineers seat, and having a friction-pulley, d, secured toits armature-shaft, and adapted to bear against the periphery, side, orinner portion of one of the driving-wheels of the engine, as shown inFig. 1, so as to impart direct motion to the armature from saiddriving-wheel IOC) with the least amount of gearing and within the mostcompact space. The dynamo is adapted to be worked upon an open circuitor to be included in a developing-circuit, E, or to be included in acharging-circuit split into a main circuit, F, extending through thetrain, and into a branch circuit, F, leading to and includingelectric-lighting appliances at the front of the engine. Suitablecontacts, f f', and a switch, f2, are arranged within the cab, lo enablethe engineer to control' these circuits. When the switch is turned oit'both contacts, as shown in Figs. l and 5, the dynamo is permitted to runon an open circuit, but by turning the switch to contact f it isinterposed in the developing-circuit. Then, by moving the switch so thatit will rest upon both contacts f and f', the current will be dividedbetween the developing and the charging circuits; and thenupon movingthe switch still farther, so that it will rest upon the contactf alone,the developin g-circuit will be broken and the whole current directedinto the charging-circuit. This arrangement of circuit-s and switchingdevices is necessary in order to prevent back'llow of current over thecharging-circuit from the storage-batteries interposed therein, ashereinafter explained, from affecting the tield-of-t'orce magnets of thedynamo.

The branch charging-circut F may lead to the head-light G through aninsulated wire, g, and return upon the metal parts ot' the engine, asshown; or it may both lead to and return from the head-light overinsulated wires, if desired.

I preferably conceal a series of storage-batreries in the head-light,and adapt them to be interposed in the branch charging-circuit in anywell-known manner to be charged and to discharge in a working circuit,including an electric lamp, as will be readily understood.

The main charging-circuit F extends to the extreme end of the train andback again to the dynamo over any suitable conductors, provision beingmade for the connection and disconnection of the conductors between thecars,

in order that when the cars separate the conductors may also separate.

In extending the main charging circuit through the train l iind itconvenient to make use ot' the pipes of the air or vacuum brake system,as shown in the drawings. Where only one metal pipe is employed insuchbra'ke system, as shown in Figs. l and2,Imake such pipe serve as onebranch ot' the circuit and employ for the other branch of the circuit areturn insulated wire, w, arranged preferably within said pipe, as shownin Fig. 6. Where, on the other hand, two pipes are employed, as shown inFigs. 3, 4, and l1, one pipe m'ay be utilized as the outgoing branch ofthe circuit and the other as the. return branch. In either system, asthere are flexible sections of rubber or other non-conducting materialat the ends of the pipes of each car, provision has to be made forbridging the gaps formed by these sections, and a very convenient way ofacA complishing the object is to connect one end of an insulated wire tothe end of the metallic pipe, and then wind it spirally about theilexible section and connect it to the metal coupling at the extremity,as shown in Fig. 9. When the couplings are brought together the circuitis completed. This will answer where the brake system employs two pipes.Where, however, a single pipe is employed with return-wire within thepipe, such wire may be led out through the side of the lnetalcoupling,as shown in Fig. 6, and provided with an electric coupling such as shownin Fig. 7 at h, so as to connect it to a similar electric coupling onthe conductor, leading from the pipe on the next car. l

Instead of employing the pipes of a brake system, the outgoing` andreturn branches of the charging-circuit may consist. of separateinsulated conductors united' by couplings between the cars, as shown inFig. 7; or both conductors maybe inclosed in a singleinsulatingcovering, as shown in Fig. 10, in which casca two-partcoupling is employed on the end of the conductors ot' each car-`such,for instance, as shown in Fig. 10, where i i represent two metal partssuitablyinsulated from eachother, one part having a shoulder, j, formedinit and connected to one branch of the circuit and the other carrying ametal catch-spring, k, adapted to be operated bya button, Z, andconnected to the other branch of the circuit. This coupling is adaptedto engage with a similar coupling on the conductors of the adjoiningcar, as will be readily understood by inspection of Fig. 10.

All of the electric couplings between the cars are preferablyconstructed so that theyvwill automatically' unconple when the cars areseparated.

As the uncoupling of any` car ordinarily breaks the chargingcircuit, itis necessary to provide means for connecting the conductors at each endofthe car, so that the circuit may be completed whenever necessary.Where two brake-tubes are employed, as hereinbeforc described, suchconnection can be eiiected by coupling the two tubes together, as shownin Fig. 4 at K', or by providing branch conductors m m and a switch, u,as shown in Fig. 12; but where both the outgoing and incoming IOO IIO'

. branches ot' the circuit are within thesame ini/.)

sulated covering, as in Figs.l0andf1 4l,angve form of automatic couplingmaybe employed, such as shown in Fig. lli/,ftliat will not onlyautomatically connect and disconnect with its counterpart on theadjoining car to continue each branch of the circuit, but will, whendisconnected, automatically bring together both branches oi' thecircuit, so as to complete the same. Referring to said Figaxliffo orepresent two metal pieces separated by an insulator, o, the inner metalpiece, o', heingelectrically connected to the conductor p of the circuitbya wire or strip, q, while the outer metal piece, o, is connected tothe conductor p ot' the circuitby the wire or strip, q. risa rigid metalpiece connected to the conductor p, and r is a spring connected to theconductor p', as shown. then two couplings constructed in this mannerare brought together, so that the parts o o' ot' one will slide inbetween the parts r r of the other, electrical connection between theparts of each branch of the circuit will be established; but when thecouplings are separated the parts r r of each will come together, andthus connect both branches ofthe circuit together. In this way thecircuit between all the cars that remain attached to the engine is keptclosed in working order, and is not let't open it any of the cars becomedetached.

In Fig. l2 I show in diagram a complete electric lighting equipment suchas I employ upon each car of the train, consistingl of the conductors FF, forming part of the main charging-circuit and carrying the couplingsS S at their ends, the branch wires m m and switches n a for joining thebranches of the charging-circuit at either end ot the car, two seriesot' storage batteries, l 2 3 and et 5 6, a working or lamp circuit, u,(shown in dotted lines,) including electric lamps o o, and a switchingdevice such as shown in my Patent No. 255,249, granted March 2l, 1882,for alternately interposing one series of said storagebatteries in thech arging-circuit in multiple arc to be charged and the other series inthe working or lamp circuit in tension-series to be discharged. Saiddiagram also shows switches w and tof, which, when closed to theircontacts 102 w3, connect the lamp circuit directly into the maincharging-circuit. rlhisprovision renders it practicable to run thelights either on the circuit supplied by the storage-batteries or on themain charging-circuit supplied directly from the dynamo.

Switches w and w may also'be employed7 if desired, to interpose thelamp-circuit directly into the main charging-circuit.

The storage batteries and switching apparatus on each car may bearranged in the closets thereof, or between the iioors, orin areceptacle beneath the car, or elsewhere out ofthe way; but whereverplaced provision should be made to prevent them from freezing-41s, forinstance, by surrounding them with sa'wdust or other non-conductingmaterial, running steam-pipes in proximity to them, or byotherwell-known modes of protection.

The disposition ot' the several electric cir cuits in each car can bevaried to suit the fancy t' the constructor.

While I have shown the dynamo as mounted upon and driven by thelocomotive-engine, and

regard such an arrangement as probably the most practicable, it isobvious that it might be located elsewhere on the train and be drivenfrom any ot' the transporting-wheels thereof'.

The manner of insulation of the various conductors employed in thesystem I have not dwelt upon, it being necessary only to state that allsuch conductors are sutciently well insulated to serve the purpose forwhich they are intended.

Having thus described my invention, Iclaim as new- '1. In a system ofelectric lighting for railwaytrains, the combination ot the followingelements, namely: an electrical generating-machine mounted on the engineand propelled thereby, a main charging-circuit extending from the enginethrough the train, with circuit-connecting devices between the engineand the several cars, means for placing the generator in thecharging-circuit, two series of secondary batteries and anormally-independent lamp-circuit in each car, and switchingdevices ineach car, adapted to place one series ot' secondary batteries in thecharging-circuit, coupled for quantity, and to simultaneously place theother series of secondary batteries in the lampcircuit, coupled forintensity.

2. In a system of electric lighting for railwaytrains, the combinationot' the followingnamcd elements in the equipment ot' each car, viz:electrical conductors forming part of a main chargingcircuit, with meansfor connecting and disconnecting said conductors to and from those of anadjoining car, two series of secondary batteries and anindependentlampcircuit, and switching devices for interposiug saidseries otl secondary batteries separately alternately in thecharging-circuit, coupled for quantity, and the lamp-circuit, coupledfor intensity, substantially as set forth.

3. In a system ot' electric lightingl for railway-trains, thecombination of the following named elements in the equipment of eachcar, viz: electrical conductors forming part ot' a maincharging-circuit, with means for connecting and disconnecting saidconductors to and from those of adjoining cars, two series of secondarybatteries, an independent lamp-circuit, switching devices foralternately connecting one series ot'secondary batteries into thecharging-circuit, coupled for quantity, and for connecting the otherseries ot' said batteries into the lamp circuit, coupled for intensity,and other switch devices for including at will one dischargingseries ot'secondary batteries or the independent lamp circuit in the maincharging-circuit, substantially as described.

MELVILLE CHURCH, FRED F. CHURCH.

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